Human Rights

France's far-right leader demands more mosque closures

4 October 2022; MEMO: France's far-right politician, Marine Le Pen, has demanded more mosques be closed in the country, Anadolu News Agency reports.

Her demand comes despite the closure of 24 mosques in France in the past two years upon the order of Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin.

In an interview with French TV channel, BFMTV, Marine Le Pen said: "He (Darmanin) closes a mosque there, a mosque here. He dismisses a preacher once in a while, but he must close all extremist mosques in our lands."

India: Delhi Police arrests four PFI members under UAPA

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) Four persons allegedly linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested by Delhi Police under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, officials said on Tuesday.

This is the first arrest of any PFI member in the national capital after the outfit was banned by the Centre on September 28. Earlier, Delhi Police had conducted raids at PFI units spread across six districts of the city and detained 33 people allegedly linked with the group.

UK King Charles will not attend COP27 in Egypt

3 October 2022; MEMO: A royal source has confirmed that the UK's King Charles will not attend COP27 which is set to be held in Egypt in November as he distances himself from campaigning roles.

It was reported that Prime Minister Liz Truss said that it was not right for Charles to attend as it would make Egypt his first trip abroad as king.

Israeli forces kill 2 young Palestinians in occupied West Bank

3 October 2022; MEMO: Israel's occupation forces raided the Jalazone refugee camp in the occupied West Bank today and fired at least 30 bullets at three young Palestinians in their vehicle, Wafa has reported. Two of the Palestinians were killed, while the third was wounded.

The two dead men were named as Basel Basbous, 19, and Khaled Anbar, 22, both residents of Jalazone. The man who was wounded was named as Rafat Habash, 19, from Beir Zeit. All three were reported to be construction workers.

EU-Israel talks restart after decade amid outcry from rights groups

3 October 2022; MEMO: Talks between the EU and Israel resume in Brussels on Monday after nearly a decade, despite warnings from human rights groups and European lawmakers over Israel's abuses against Palestinians, Anadolu News Agency reports.

The first meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, after nine years, focuses on bilateral issues, the implications of Russia's war on Ukraine, and the spiralling global energy and food crises.

USA: Jewish American journalist sacked for calling Israel 'apartheid' state

3 October 2022; MEMO: In the latest crackdown on free speech when Palestine is the topic, Jewish American journalist Katie Halper has been fired by The Hill for calling Israel an "apartheid state". Known for her podcast, Rising, the 41-year-old had drafted a monologue in response to the recent attacks on Rashida Tlaib.

Tunisia police use excessive force against teacher protests

2 October 2022; MEMO: Tunisian police have used excessive force against teachers who protested on Thursday in front of the Ministry of Education, demanding authorities provide them with permanent jobs.

According to the National Coordination of Representatives, the teachers were forced to end their protest after being subjected to "all forms of violence".

'Arab normalisation encouraged Israel's aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque': Jordan MP

1 October 2022; MEMO: Head of the Reform Bloc in the Jordanian Parliament, Saleh Al-Armouti, asserted on Friday that Arab normalisation with Israel has encouraged its aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Speaking to Felesteen newspaper, Al-Armouti also stated that the security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Israeli occupation encouraged the Israeli occupation's aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque.

France closes another mosque

29 Sep 2022; MEMO: The government in France has announced that it is closing another mosque. Media reports yesterday said that the closure of the Obernai Mosque in the Bas-Rhin region is because the Imam has been accused of extremism, taking an anti-French position and making provocative comments against the values of the republic.

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